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I NSPIRED with the thought that the more im¬ 
portant events which have taken place on the 
u south side ” of the river within the memory of 
the writer during the past forty years, should be 
made a matter of record, the author has been 
prompted to write a history of Riverside and 
South Danville for the benefit and information 
of the present and future residents. This historical 
sketch has been published in the hope that it might 
serve an useful purpose and prove of interest and 
value to friends and fellow citizens. 

Ogden H. Ostrander. 
Riverside, Pa., April 14th, 1906. 


Gift 

Author 

(.Person) 


3-1 Tf l^o io w. o iW, 


THE FIRST SETTLERS, 

A S early as the year 1756 the part of Pennsylvania 
bordering the upper branches of the Susquehanna 
River was an unbroken wilderness. Here and 
there might have been found the rude home of a pioneer. 
The nearest settlement on the west was Shamokintown, 
ten miles down the river, at the junction of the two branch¬ 
es, where Sunbury now stands, and as many miles above, 
that of Catawissa. King George the Third had built Fort 
Augusta at the former place to protect the settlers against 
Indian incursions. About half way up the N. E. branch 
of the river in 1772, the Montgomery, Sechler, Maus, 
Frazer and a few other families had taken up lands from 
the proprietaries Penn, aud formed what was in that day 
kuown as “Montgomery’s Settlement/' where a boat 
landing was constructed ou the north bank of the stream, 
about the year 1790. Gen. Daniel Montgomery laid out 
the town of Danville, opened a store aud built a grist mill 
and woolen factory. The construction by the Common¬ 
wealth in 1829, of a canal between Northumberland and 
Scranton, brought an influx of population to this section, 
and by a map of Danville dated 1832 there are shown to 
be seventy-five buildings and 600 residents. Stage coach¬ 
es from Northumberland to Danville and thence to Potts- 
ville made daily trips as early as the year 1804 and con¬ 
tinued for fifty years. The river at that time was crossed 
by a ferry and up to 1828, when the first bridge was 
erected. Most of the laud on both sides of the stream 
from Mahoning creek to Toby run on the north side and 


3 


Kipps run to Logan run on the south side were taken up 
under warrants from the proprietaries in 1769. On the 
“south side/’ as late as 1790, but few tracts were occu¬ 
pied by settlers. Of 2000 acres or more, some 1200 were 
owned by Jacob Gearhart, who came with his family from 
the state of New Jersey in the year 1782. He built a log 
house on the rising ground near the river, and established 
the first ferry across the Susquehanna at this point. In 
1790 a public road leading from Sunburv to Gearhart’s 
Ferry, was laid out and in 1804 a turnpike road was con¬ 
structed to Pottsville, forty miles over the mountains. The 
Carr, Boyd and Depew families owned tracts adjoining 
Jacob Gearhart lands. 



4 


DANVILLE. 


3 N 1832 the principal part of Danville, occupied by 
dwellings, laid between Sechler’s run and the river. 
Factory and Church streets. The existence of iron 
ores and limestone with coal, a few miles away, about the 
year 1844, attracted capitalists, who, through Thomas 
Chambers purchased 1500 acres from the Montgomery 
estate. Several furnaces for smelting these ores were 
erected and a rolling mill built. Several hundred skilled 
workers in iron were brought from England and Wales, 
together with their families. This inflow of people caused 
the laying out of Montgomery, Yorks and Sidler lands 
north of the canal and greatly enlarged the town. The 
population in 1850 was 3300 ; 1860, 6380 ; 1870, 8120. 
In 1853 the first railroad was constructed through Dan¬ 
ville, being an extension of the Catawissa, Williamsport 
and Erie from Rupert to Williamsport, which was follow¬ 
ed in 1859 by an extension of the Lackawanna and 
Bloomsburg R. R. from Rupert to Northumberland. At 
the close of the Civil War there was an abundance of 
paper money and unlimited credit. It was at this time 
attention was drawn to the need of more dwelling houses 
and a greater scope of ground to build upon. It was the 
agitation of this thought that led to the laying out of town 
Jots on the south side of the river. Lind association soon 
followed, the public availed themselves of this opportunity 
to purchase sites for homes, and from this time (1869) 
the history or Riverside and South Danville may he said 
to commence. About the year 1826 a bridge company 
was chartered by the state legislature to span the river, 
and under its provisions a bridge of the “Burr arch truss’" 
type was constructed in 1828. This structure withstood 
the freshets until 1875, when on March 17th it was car¬ 
ried away on a 26 foot flood. The same year a new wood¬ 
en bridge of the “Howe truss” pattern was erected on the 


5 


piers raised four feet higher than the old ones. Under an 
act of assembly permitting counties to purchase highway 
bridges, aud make them free to the public travel, this 
bridge became the property of Montour and Northumber¬ 
land counties in the year 1897 and so continued until 
1904, when a great ice freshet gorged aud dammed up the 
river for many miles, destroying by a 29 foot rise the sup¬ 
erstructure aud most of the piers. This bridge was re¬ 
placed by a fine steel structure ou new abutments aud 
piers, the cost of which 141,000 dollars was borne by the 
Commonwealth. In 1904 Danville repaired Mill street 
from the bridge to Centre street with vitrified brick, set¬ 
ting the curb for a 12 feet side pavement along the entire 
length of 1800 feet. Added to the improvement the 
municipality has constructed a superior ‘‘Sewer System” 
and installed a first-class electric light plant, which, with 
the public water works has placed Danville in the front 
rank of Pennsylvania towns. The population now is 
nearly 9000. 



6 



RIVERSIDE. 


A SHORT time prior to the location of the rail road 
on the southern bank of the Susquehanna, betweeu 
Sun bury and Wilkes-Barre, the desirability of 
securing laud on the opposite side of the river from Dan¬ 
ville attracted the attention of some Danville parties, who 
finally formed a syndicate, among whom were E. W. 
Conklin, F. C. Derr, John W. Von Nieda, O. H. Os¬ 
trander and others. The laud selected for building sites 
embraced ten acres, situate west of the river bridge and 
laying between the river and road leading to Sunbury. 
The price offered the heirs of Harman Gearhart estate for 
this piece of ground was ten thousand dollars but was not 
accepted; almost two years afterwards, Thomas Beaver 
Dan Morgan, I. H. Torrence and Benj. G. Welch, pur¬ 
chased a part of the Daniel Cameron farm adjoining the 
Herman Gearhart tract, and which contained 100 acres 
between the river and Sunbury road, one half mile west 
from the river bridge. The land was laid out in wide 
avenues and streets, with lots 50 by 184 feet. This land 
was then owned by Win. Hancock who had purchased 
same from Wm. D. Gearhart and wife. O. H. Ostrander 
was appointed Surveyor and Sales agent for the Land 
Association; at this time business in Danville was in a 
very prosperous condition,labor in demand and wages high. 
Lots were rapidly sold to working men and others and 20 
buildings were built in the years 1869 and 1870. The 
first dwelling was erected on Avenue D, near First 
street by William Spotts May 1869 and occupied the same 
year. The winter of 69-70 was mild and building oper¬ 
ations were not seriously interfered with—the sounds of 
hammer and saw were everywhere heard and many loads 
of stone and lumber were handled from day to day. With¬ 
in the year many houses were erected and the face of the 
ground commenced to assume the appearance of a new 


7 


town. In 1870, Thomas Beaver and Dan Morgan sold 
their interest in unsold lots to O. H. Ostrander. At the 
close of the year 1871, 40 buildings hail been constructed 
most of which were immediately occupied; at this period, 
a charter was obtained—incorporating the villiage iuto a 
borough. This year a fine two story brick school house 
was erected and two public schools were established; one 
room was also used for religious services which prior there¬ 
to had been held in a large baru. The great demand for 
town lots aud the high prices p?id, induced William Faux 
whose farm lay on the west side of tiie new town to lay 
out 80 acres of his land north of the Sunbury road in 1869 
most of which was immediately purchased by William K. 
Holloway, William Hancock, Win. G. Young, Geo. B. 
Brown, Daniel Lei by. Perry Deen aud John Roth. Daniel 
Leiby at once erected a commodious house aud a large 
barn, and John Roth a dwelling; both parties moving in 
with their families. An additional piece of ground, west 
of the "‘Faux farm” containing 12 acres, extending from 
the Sunbury road to the railroad at this time Leiby pur¬ 
chased from Samuel Gulick. Iu 1870 the heirs of Her¬ 
man Gearhart estate owning land on the east of the village 
laid out 50 acres bounded oil the south by the Sunbury 
road, north by the river, and east by the road leading to 
the river bridge. The survey was made by Geo. W. 
West, under the direction of William F. Gearhart, actiug 
for the heirs, who laid out the streets 50 feet iu width, on 
lines paralled with the Sunbury road, the lots being made 
50 by 150 feet. This arrangeineiit was unwise as the re¬ 
sult was to seriously conflict with the alignment of streets 
in Riverside, producing unnecessary offsets aud angles. 
The Gearhart layout was called South Danville. A good¬ 
ly number of lots was sold on this section and a number 
«*f houses were erected. A one story brick building was 
built by the Gearhart School District for the accommoda¬ 
tion of the settlers in that part of the district. The same 


8 





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year, a Laud Association consisting of B. G. Welch, Or¬ 
leans Longacre, Perry Been and Wm. C. Johnston pur¬ 
chased the 0. P. Gearhart farm, laying south of the Sun- 
bury road, fronting South Danville, 70 acres at 250 dol¬ 
lars per acre and divided the same into town lots conform¬ 
ing strictly to the general plan of Riverside. Many sales 
were also made in this section and several houses put up 
about the same time (1871). Beuj. G. Welch and others 
also bought 60 acres of the VauNorstran farm, adjoining 
the C. P. Gearhart laud on the west and south of the road 
leading to JSunbury, laying out the same to conform unto 
the Riverside plat. Several houses were put up in this 
part of the town during the year 1871. In 1872 a sub¬ 
stantial brick church edifice 30 by 60 feet with gothic 
windows and a belfry was built through the efforts of the 
citizens, most of whom were Methodists, and religious ser- 
vsces were instituted under a pastorate call. The years 
1872 and 1873 witnessed the building of more houses and 
a continuing demand for town lots until September 1873, 
when the failure of Jay Cooke, banker with liabilities 
amounting to $4,000,000 dollars burst upon the country, 
causing widespread disaster. The year 1874 was ushered 
in with a general paralysis in all industrial pursuits. The 
iron mills in Danville, employing thousands of men shut 
down, and remained closed for a long time. Loans from 
building associations had helped to build most of the 
houses in Riverside and vicinity; inability to pay the 
monthly dues from lack of work, soon brought the fore¬ 
closure of mortgages. Most of the houses and properties 
of working men and others were sold by the sheriff. 
Houses and lands were sold for one third of what they 
cost and many persons were left penniless. The prosperity 
which had marked five years of advancement for the new 
settlement on the south side, suddenly ceased and the peo¬ 
ple were hardly able to procure the bare necessaries of 
life. This period of depression continued for several years. 


10 


when business began slowly to revive, and reawaken the 
spirit of progress and improvement. In 1876 the M. E. 
church ol Riverside was sold at sheriffs sale to Christ P. 
E. church of Danville and consecrated as a chape). As 
times improved the chuchless members of the M. E. de-: 
nomination determined to build for themselves a new 
house of worship. A lot of ground was donated by the 
heirs of Harmon Gearhart estate, and sufficient funds sub¬ 
scribed that in 1878 they found themselves the owners of 
a new brick edifice located in South Danville, a square 
away from the former one. About this time many farm¬ 
ers retired from iheir farms and purchased or built homes 
in Riverside and South Danville, bringing in new energy 
and fresh capital. Many of those who had lost their 
homes were enabled to repurchase them at lower values, 
population increased, the public debt was paid off and the 
south side commenced to grow again until at this time 
(1906) there are 160 buildings and a thriving community 
of more than a thousand souls. What the future may bring, 
can only be a conjecture, but perhaps acentury hence may 
witness, outspread upon the plain a city of larger popula¬ 
tion, more beautiful homes, greater industries and more ex¬ 
tensive civic improvements than the older settlement on 
the opposite shore. 





1 


11 



ST. PETER'S M. 


E. CHURCH. 

























HOUSES ERECTED. 


1869—1874. 


Name. 

Location. 

Section. 

Year. 

William Spotts, Avenue D 

4 

1869 

Edward Crompton, 

* i 

E 

33 

1869 

U. H. Ostrander, 

6 l 

E 

32 . 

1870 

Adam Chapman, 

i i 

E 

5 

- 1870 

J. Al. Shuman, 

6 i 

F 

30 

1870 

W. M. Hoaglaud, 

i 6 

F 

30 

1870 

Jacob Snyder, 

6 i 

F 

11 

1870 

Amelius Moizeubocher “ 

C 

4 

1870 

Oliver Hendrickson, 

i i 

E 

11 

1870 

Theodore Mentzer, 

i < 

D 

10 

1870 

Ceo. W. Koat, 

6 6 

E 

a 

1870 

Jacob W. Scott, 

i < 

E 

10 

1870-1 

Andrew Kapp, 

a 

F 

<25 

1870 

Amos F. Welker, 

i c 

F 

26 

1870 

Lewis Morgan, 

i 6 

F 

26 

1870 

Benj. G. Welch, 

i C 

F 

34 

1870 

Joel S. Bailey, 

i i 

F 

34 

1870 

R. P. Laird, 

i 6 

E 

29 

1870 

Dennis Murphy, ‘ 

i i 

C 

9 

1870 

L. G. Hartman, 

i i 

D 

9 

1871 

Sam’l E. Snyder, . 


F 

18 

1871 

Orleans Longacre,’ 

i 

D 

28 

1871 

Thos. C. Fowler, 

i c 

F 

26 

1871 

William Yeager, 

i c 

F 

26 

1871 

Daniel Eckroth, 

i L 

I) 

19 

1871 

Herman Shifner, 

i 6 

G 


1871 

Wm. A. Miller,, 

i C 

E 

24 

1871 

William Miuiet, 

i i 

E 

16 

1871 

William Lynn, 

i i 

E 

16 

1871 

Daniel Linn, 

“ 

E 

16 

1871 

Henry Yeager, 

i i 

E 

16 

1871 


13 



John Keim, 

it 

E 

20 

1871 

Henry Johnson, 

< t 

E 

20 

1871 

Peter Fenstermacher, 

* < 

F 

33 

1871 

Samuel D. Bucher, 

< t 

E 

24 

1871 

Chas. H. Gable, 

< < 

C 

3 

1871 

Henry Z. Freehafer, 

<. 

B 

3 

1871 

John Dodson, 

< < 

B 

3 

1871 

Jacob Eberly, 

< < 

A 

1 

1871 

Daniel Leiby, 

< < 

A 

Faux Addition 

1871 

John Roth, Avenue C Faux Addition 

1871 

Rev. E. N. Lightner, 

tt 

E 

28 

1871 

Daniel Huber, 

< t 

F 

18 

1871 

David Huber, 

< < 

F 

18 

1871 

Francis J. Rifiel, 

< < 

E 

11 

1872 

Frank Lewis, 

< < 

D 

9 

1872 

William Livezey, 

t < 

E 

29 

1872 

William Livezey, 

Peter M. Yocum, 

11 

E 

24 

1872 

11 

E 

25 

1872 

John Cuthbert, 

t < 

G 

52 

1872 

C. P. Gearhart, 

t < 

H 

39 

1872 

John T. McCloughan, 

< < 

G 

44 

1872 

William 'Krigbaum, 

< < 

F 

25 

1872 

Lewis Hoffman, 

< < 

F 

33 

1872 

James M. Coulter, 

«t 

E 

29 

1872 

John K. Fowler, 

< < 

C 

4 

1872 

Gideon Mills, 

t < 

c 

3 

1872 

Frank Leiby Sunbury Road 

Faux Addition 

1872 

Mont’y Artley, Avenue D 

32 

1872 

Joseph L. Shannon, 

. t 

D 


1872 

Edward Shepperson, 

t < 

D 


1872 

Reuben Riegel, 

11 

F 


1872 

Andrew Vought, 

ft 

G 


1872 

Jeremiah M. John, 

tt 

E 

25 

1873 

Sam’l K. Ilile, 

f < 

E 

21 

1873 

Hon. H. M. Hinckley, 

<« 

G 

39 

1873 

Jane Livezey, 

< < 

E 

24 

1873 



14 




Richard Wilson, “ 

E 

28 

1873 

Rev. Gideon H. Day, “ 

F 

21 

1874 

John S. Bird, “ 

F 

25 

1874 

(71 Houses) 

1874- 

-1906 



David Unger, Snydertown Road 


Burns Campbell, Avenue H 



William Campbell, 

4 4 

H 



George Arms, 

C 4 

H 



Daniel Moll, 

4 4 

G 



Ulam Hoffman, 

4 4 

G 



M. E. C’h Parsonage 

4 4 

G 



Peter F. Startzell, 

4 4 

H 



Richard Fogle, 

4 4 

F 


11 


1874 

—1906. 


Wm. Hendrickson, Avenue E 


4 

Band Room, 

< < 




DeWitt’s Drug Store, 

< < 

H 

Suuburv Road 

Arthur Jones, 

< < 

G 



Daniel Gottsnall, 

< < 

G 



Wesley Morrall, 

< < 

G 



Eli Hoover 

a 

F 


30 

Elmer E. Fowler, 

< < 

F 


29 

Mark W. Hess, 

<* 

F 


29 

P. 0. S. of A. Hall, 

« « 

F 



Daniel Farley, 

< < 

E 



Frank Wilson, 

11 

E 



Geo. B. Ostrander, 

it 

D 


27 

Annie Campbell, 

« t 

E 


32 

Jos. L. Shannon, 

0. H. Ostrander, 

a 

D 


25 

“Brown Stone” 

(25 Houses) 

n 

D 


31 


15 


FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH. 

NOW GRACE P. E. GHURGH. 

Public services of a religious character were first In 11 
in a barn that stood on the north side of the Sun bury n;id 
between Avenue D. E. this was in the year 1870, shortly 
after the new town was started. A Sundsiy school w;is in¬ 
stituted at the same time by Rev. B G Welch; which 
were continued until the erection of the school building on 
Avenue E, when a transfer was made to that structure 
where services were kept up until August 1872. Just 
prior to this four lots of ground at the corner of A venue F 
and Sixth street were purchased by the church people and 
an effort made to procure funds for a building: ground was 
broken for the foundation in the spring of 1872. A large 
brick edifice with helfry was completed and dedicated tin* 
following summer at a cost including lots of nearby 8000 
dollars, of this 5500 dollars were collected, leaving a debt 
of 2500 dollars, which existed until the business panic of 
1874 swept over the country. The congregation struggled 
along until 1877, when the church property was sold at 
sheriff’s sale to Christ P. E. church of Danville, and was 
converted into a chapel, when the original corner stone 
and contents were removed and a new one substituted un¬ 
der the name of Grace P. E. Chapel. Since that time ser¬ 
vices by the Episcopal denomination have been periodical¬ 
ly observed every year. Rev. Haughtou is the present 
rector in charge. 




16 


PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 


The rapid development of the new town made it nec¬ 
essary to provide suitable accommodations for educational 
purposes. A contract was entered into with Ira T. Clem¬ 
ent of Sunbury to erect a 2 story brick structure 40 by 40 
feet on ground at corner of Avenue E and Fourth street* 
The building was completed and ready for occupancy, 
June 1871 soon after the incorporation of the town into a 
borough. The school district rented the building which 
had been provided bv O. H. Ostrander at a cost of 4925 
dollars, with the understanding that as soon as the district 
was authorized by an act of assembly to issue bonds the 
property was to be transfered to them for the same price* 
This was accompl.shed in 1873 and Mr. Ostrander reliev¬ 
ed of the burden he had carried ibr three years. The 
bonds were issued at six per cent, interest and though the 
times were hard, the interest was promptly met and the 
principal paid off within a period of ten years. A hot- 
water system of heating was installed in 1897 at a cost of 
<500 dollars which has given entire satisfaction. The 
building has been a source of civic pride to the citizens of 
Riverside, as well as a comtortable home for the school 
children* 


List oe Teachers j 
1872—1906* 


1872 

Mary Wilkes 

1873 

C. P. Gearhart 

1874 

Mnrv Wilkes 

1875 


1884 

Maggie Gulick 

K. P. Laird 

1885 

Rebecca Shannon 
Jas. B. Douglas 

1886 


17 


Mary Wilkes 

A. M. Campbell 

1876 

Mary Wilkes 
Maggie Madden 

1877 

Amanda Gearhart 
Maggie Madden 

1878 

Amanda Gearhart 
James C. Russel 

1879 

Amanda Gearhart 
Jas. B. McClougan 

1880 

Libbie Guss 
W. L. Sidler 
1881 

Alice Gearhart 
L. Krum 
1882 

F. M. Gotwals 

B. L. Diehl 

1883 

B. P. Ryan 
R. P. Laird 

1895 

Sophia Shannon 
Jas. B. Douglass 
1897 

Alice Gearhart 
Sophia Shannon 
1899 

Alice Gearhart 
Thos. L. Murphy 
1901 


Rebecca Shannon 
R. P. Laird 

1887 

Rebecca Shannon 
R. P. Laird 

1888 

Mary Curry 
Jas. B. Douglass 

1889 

Alice Gearhart 
R. P. Laird 

1890 

Hattie Kimbel 
Jas. B. Douglass 

1891 

Alice Gearhart 
Jas. B. Douglass 

1892 

Alice Gearhart 
Jas. B. Douglass 

1893 

Sophia Shannon 
H. R. Brubacker 

1894 

Sophia Shannon 
Jas. B. Douglass 
1896 

Sophia Shannon 
Wilbur Penny packer 
1898 

Alice Gearhart 
Thos. L. Murphy 
1900 

Alice Gearhart 
E. W. Coxe 
1902 


18 


Mrs. E W. Young 
Steward S. Smith 
1903 

Mrs. E. \Y. Young 
Dau’l J. Snyder- 


1905 

Mrs. E. W. Young 
Bertha Surver 


Blanche Riffle 
Mrs. E. W. Young 
1904 

Mrs. E. W. Young 
Dan’l J. Snyder 


THE POST OFFICE. 

The first postmaster was Benjamin Welch who kept 
the office in a building located on the Welch premises at 
the east end of Sixth street where it remained from 1871-5 
when Fraucis G. VanNorstran was appointed, who pur¬ 
chased the building and removed it to the south side of 
theSunbury road, near his residence. The office continued 
there until 1879, when D. R. Eckman, was appointed P. 
M. and assumed charge of postal affairs until the year 
1887. Geo. D. Gearhart, his clerk succeeded him, keep¬ 
ing the office in the same building until 1891, when J. 
Hudson Kase was appointed, who removed the office to 
his store on Sunbury R >ad, near river bridge where it re¬ 
mained until 1895. From 1895-99 D. R. Eckman was 
P. M , when C. S. Smith who kept the store formerly oc¬ 
cupied by D. R. Eckman became postmaster and who has 
continued such until the present time. The business has 
increased since 1871 when it yielded a revenue of 100 dol¬ 
lars per anum, until now the postmaster from postal and 
money order commission realizes an income exceeding 300 
dollars a year. 


19 


NEWSPAPERS. 


The Riverside published by B. G. Welch, & Co 1871- r 73 

The Star “ “ Owen Fowler, 1873—77 

The Advocate “ ** Geo, Edward Roat, 1897-’03 

The Star ** ** H. J. Bird, 1903-’06 


STORES. 


Wm. Livezay, Sunbury Road, Avenue E 1872-4 

Joel Linn, “ “ “ “ 1874-5 

Lees & Bro. Avenue E and Fourth St., 1874-8 

Mrs. Alex. J. Sober, Avenue Fand Fifth St., 1876-7 

James Mills, Avenue E and Fourth St., 1877-96 

Wm. W. Kimbel, Avenue E and Fifth St., 1898-06 


REAL ESTATE AGENCY. 

O. H. Ostrander, C. E. offices on Sixth street near 
Avenue D from 1871—1901 when he was succeeded by 
his son. Geo. B. Ostrander, office 512 Avenue D near 
Fifth street. 



20 


SUNBURY, HAZLETON & WILKES-BARRE R. R. 


This railroad was surveyed and located through River¬ 
side in 1868 and the right of way was donated to the com¬ 
pany by the Land Association. The President and rul¬ 
ing spirit of the enterprise was Simon P. Kase, of Dan¬ 
ville, whose skill and energy constructed the road between 
Sunbury and Danville and completed the same to Hazle¬ 
ton and Wilkes-Barre in 1870. This franchise was after¬ 
wards leased to the Penna. R. R. Co., by whom it is now 
operated. Wm. L. Clark has been in charge of the South 
Danville Station, for the past 15 years. 



DANVILLE AND RIVERSIDE R. R. 

In 1873 a charter was obtained by Benj. G. Welch 
and others. The line was surveyed and staked out the 
same year by O. H, Ostrander C. E. and later on some 
grading and work were made by the company, but the de¬ 
pression at this period interfered with further progress and 
the enterprise remained dormant until 1904 when the Dan¬ 
ville and Sunbury Electric Railway Co., became the own¬ 
ers of the charter, with its valuable rights and privileges. 


DANVILLE AND SHAMOKIN R. R. 

B. G. Welch and others, procured a charter for a 
railroad between Danville and Shamokiu in the year 1880. 
The survey and estimates were made by O. H. Ostrander 
C. E. The line commenced at the Phila. and Reading R. 
R. Station in Danville, thence passing eastward along the 
high ground back of the National Iron Company’s fur- 


21 


naces, crossing overhead the D. L. & W. R. R-, and 
Penna Canal to the river, thence across the same, south to 
Boyd’s woods, over the D. H. & W. R. R. thence east¬ 
ward to Logan Run, up the same to Shatnokin Hill by a 
1600 ft. tunnel through the same along the southeru flank 
of the ridge eastward to a point near Elysburg, thence 
southward to Little Mouutaiu opposite Paxinos, thence 
eastward along the north side of Shamokin Creek to a 
point near to Weigh Scales on Suubury and Shamokin R. 
R. crossing the same overhead to the side of the opposite 
Ridge, thence eastward to Shamokin near Cameron col¬ 
liery a distance of 16 miles. TheeTimate of cost amount¬ 
ed to 815,000 dollars. This line was not constructed but 
the charter was sold to the Phila. & Reading R. R. Co., 
who show by their annual reports that the organization is 
being maintained. 


DANVILLE AND SUNBURY ELECTRIC RY. 

This company was chartered in 1904, and have laid 
out a line between Danville and Sunbury and secured a 
right of way thereto. The railway has been constructed 
between the Hospital for the Insane in Danville to De- 
Witt’s Park in Riverside a distance of 2^ miles, from 
which point the railroad will be continued to Sunbury a 
distance of 12 miles from Riverside, Chas. P. Haucock is 
Prest. and A. H. Woolley Sec’y. 

0 0 0 


SILVER CORNET BAND. 

An organization of home talent in 1885 succeeded in 
raising funds for the purchase of instruments aud uniforms 


22 


costing 1000 dollars: Chas. F. Stoes of Danville was Band 
Instructor. The first meetings were held in the school 
building; subsequently a lot adjoining was purchased and 
a one story 16x32 frame building erected. The band kept 
together for seven years; and became efficient players; 
their services were in frequent demand at home and away, 
but finally disbanded in 1892. The members of this band 
were Wm. T. Shepperson, leader, Chas. Riffle, R. B. 
Bird, Chas. S. Mills, M. F. Gulick, Frank Kramer, 
James Murphy, James Kramer, Wm. Murphy, Oscar 
Eberly, R. E. Shannon, Jos. S. Burd, Abram Oberdorf, 
Chas. B. VanNorstran, Martin Bird, Wm. Suter, Jesse 
L. Shannon, Heber DeWitt, Chas. Morrall, John Wol- 
verton, Wm. Krim, Edward Hummer, Wm. W. Kimbel. 



23 


INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, 


Vulcan Iron Works: The building was erected 
by the National Iron Co., of Danville, in 1872, and leas¬ 
ed by Wrn. H. Law, mechanical engineer, who manufact¬ 
ured boilers, stacks, bridges and other sheet iron work un¬ 
til 1874 when he gave up the business, by reason of the 
depression in trade, throughout the country. During its 
business career the works, turned out many fine iron 
bridges, stacks, Ac. 

Keim’s Brick Yard: In 1871, John Keim com¬ 
menced the manufacture of building brick, burning from, 
eight to ten kilns per annum. He continued in the trade 
for several years at his plant on Avenue A, adjoining Sus¬ 
quehanna Avenue, until the clay was exhausted, when 
the business was carried on in Danville. Mr. Keim has 
been engaged in the brick making business for 45 years. 

Clement’s Lumber Yard: Was established by 
Ira T. Clemet of Sun bury in 1872 on Avenne E, adjoin¬ 
ing railroad and continued to sell large quantities of build¬ 
ing material until 1874, when business commenced to de¬ 
cline. The Yard was then closed. 

Yeager’s Coal Yard: Henry Yeager commenced 
selling Lehigh Coal from the Pardse Mines at Hazleton in 
1873 and continued in the trade for several years. His 
Yard was situated on Avenue E, adjoining S. H. & W. 
R. R. He was also a contractor and builder and built 
many houses in Riverside and vicinity. 

Shuman’s Dairy: J. M. Shuman opened a dairy 
on Avenue F, near Sixth street in the year 1872, furnish¬ 
ing cream and milk to customers in Riverside and Dan¬ 
ville. He also kept an Ice Cream Parlor. Mr. Shuman 
removed to Nebraska about the year 1882. 


24 


Sam’l Bailey & Co: This company established a 
bimber yard at the corner of Avenue F and Fifth street 
in 1888, where they kept lumber of all kinds for many 
years. The firm consisted of Samuel Bailey and Wm. T. 
Sheppersou, who dissolved partnership in 1904. 

Shifter’s File Factory: Herman Shifner, a Ger¬ 
man mechanic and skillful file cutter was engaged at his 
trade on his premises Avenue G, above Eighth street from 
1872 until his death in 1886, and was constantly employ¬ 
ed by the Danville Stove and Manufacturing Co, 

^ ^ 9 

THE FLORISTS, 

David Cliffe: Established a greenhouse on Ave¬ 
nue D, near Fifth street in 1870 carrying on a large and 
profitable business until he moved to Philadelphia in 1881, 
He was also a landscape gardener. 

R. C. Shannon: Operated a large greenhouse and 
a truck farm on Avenue D, near Ninth street from 1888, 
increasing the capacity and equipment until he died in 
1900 from which period the business has been conducted 
by his widow. 

R B. Bird: Has a greenhouse on his premises be¬ 
tween Fifth and Sixth streets, Avenue E. He has been 
engaged in the business since 1886, 


Fire Brick Works: Were established about the 
year 1897 the building formerly occupied by the Vulcan 
Iron Works, was purchased by Joseph S. Burd, SamT 
Bailey and Wm. T. Shepperson: Considerable capital 
was invested in brick machines, crushers, Wells &c., and 


25 


most of tbe product which was of superior quality was sold 
to the Reading Iron Company’s Mills in Danville. The 
works suspended operations in 1899. The property was 
sold to F. Q, Hartman in 1906, the old buildings were 
removed and a brick building 68x120 feet erected for the 
manufacture of silk thread. 

^ 


BAKERS. 

Chas. Hartman: Opened a bakery on Avenue D, 
near First street in 1895 and was operated until 1896 
when he abandoned the business. 

Wm. C. Pursel: Started a bakery between Fifth 
and Sixth streets, Avenue F. in 1904, where he still con¬ 
tinues. 

Armes Cabinet Factory: Was established in 
1892 by Zachary T. Armes on his premises, Avenue E 
and Sixth street. It was equipped with an engine and 
planing machinery and was capable of turning out all 
kinds of wood work. It has remained unused since the 
death of the owner in 1901. 


0 ^ 


BUTCHERS. 

Joseph L. Shannon: Built a slaughterhouse on 
Torrence Lane near Tenth street, in 1872 and has been 
engaged in the business for many years. In 1894 a meat 
shop was opened in Danville on Mill street by Shannon <fc 
Co., and traded under that title until 1904, when Jesse 
L t Shannon assumed the proprietorship. 


26 


John Conway: Erected a meat and sausage factory 
on his premises, Avenue E and Sixth street, in 1900 and 
equipped the same with an engine and other fixtures. His 
business is extended to Danville where he provides the 
principal hotels with the products of his factory. 


SHOEMAKERS. 

Daniel Farley: With a shop on Avenue E near 
Third street. 

L. G. Hartman: On Avenue D, near First street 
have served the public in their line of work since River¬ 
side was first settled. 


^ 

PHYSICIAN. 


A. T. DeWitt, M. D: Commenced practice in 
this neighborhood in 1878, opening an office on Sun bury 
road, near Avenue H, which was afterwards moved to the 
lot on which he now resides, Avenue F, near Sixth street. 


GULICK SAND CO. 

This company since 1885 have been engaged in the 
sand business, shipping large quantities of superior mould¬ 
ing sand to stove factories and iron foundries throughout 
the state. Valuable beds of sand are found within the 
boundaries of Riverside and vicinity. The members of 
the company are M. F. Gulick and W. W. Gulick. 


27 


SPOTTS’ ICE CO. 


This trade is carried on by John Spotts and David 
Spotts whose storehouses are situate in Riverside and Gear¬ 
hart township. 


9 9 ^ 


DEWITT’S PARK. 

About the year 1896 Dr. A. T. DeWitt purchased 
28 acres of land, partly in woods, at the southern term¬ 
inus of Avenue E:—a section of the VanNostran farm. 
The Dr. concluded to turn this into a “pleasure resort ’ 7 
for the public'; the under brush was cut out, old trees re¬ 
moved and the place, thoroughly under drained, wells 
were sunk, a fine large pavilion erected, a cook house, 
swings and all equipments that might add to the entertain¬ 
ment and comfort of visitors were made from time to- 
time. A wide, first class driving and bicycle track around 
the grounds was also laid out, together with inside paths, 
reservoirs, a tenuis and croquet lawn, and other attrac¬ 
tions. In addition to these, a shooting range and base ball 
ground, with a commodious grandstand were established 
ou the south side of the park proper. The place has be¬ 
come a very popular resort visited every season by thous¬ 
ands of pleasure seekers. Last year a £ ‘merry-go-round ’ r 
was installed at a cost of over 2000 dollars, labor and ex¬ 
pense have not been spared in making this one of the most 
delightful summer retreats in Pennsylvania. An electric 
railway now connects the Park with Danville, Bloomsburg 
and Berwick. An attractive feature of this place is the 
beautiful surrounding landscape scenery. 


28 


THE SOCIAL GLUB. 

This association of young men was formed in 1898, 
for the purpose of self improvement and amusement. They 
assembled in the baud room, adjoining the school building, 
which was comfortably fitted up and supplied with books 
and periodicals, passing their leisure hours in reading, 
conversation and games of amusement. They were gov¬ 
erned bv a constitution and by-laws, which were strictly 
enforced. The officers were a president, secretary and 
treasurer, elected annually. The club was disbanded in 
1901. 


PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA 

Washington Camp No. 567 was organized in 1900, 
and held their meetings on the upper floor of Armes’ Cabi¬ 
net Factory on Sixth street, until they occupied their new 
building, increasing in strength until the camp now num¬ 
bers seventy-five members. In the year 1902, the ground 
was purchased on which the new hall is erected at the cor¬ 
ner of Avenue F and Fifth street, and in 1904, adopted 
the plans and specifications for the new building. The 
foundation walls were constructed the same year, and the 
present edifice commenced in May, 1905, being completed 
within six months. The new hall is a substantiaf brick 
structure 28 by 50 feet in size, two stories high, with stone 
water table base, all lintels and sills of similar material, 
the roof covered with slate. A large furnace from the 
Danville 8tove & Manufacturing company has been in¬ 
stalled in the cellar, which supplies an ample volume of 
heat to every part. Each floor contains an assembly 
chamber, 26 by 34 feet, with additional rooms in the rear, 
12 by 16 feet each. Electric light wires extend to every 


29 


room. This fine structure reflects great credit upon the 
members of the camp and in the coming years will stand 
both as a monument to their zeal, industry and thrift and 
a fitting memorial to the memory of the immortal Wash¬ 
ington. 



P. O. S. OF A. BUILDING. 






BOROUGH OFFICERS. 

An examination of the municipal records between the 
years 1871 and 1906, shows that the various offices during 
tit at period of time, were held by the following named 
citizens, viz: 


Burgesses. 

Edward Crompton, 

C. P. Gearhart, 

David Unger, 

Wm. Minier, 

Jos. L. Shanuou, 

Caleb F. Persing, 

Zachary T. Armes, 

John Keim, 

Wm. T. Shepperson 
John Conway, 

President of School Board. 
C. P. Gearhart, 

John Dodson, 

Sam’l K. Hile, 

Jas. M. Coulter, 

Jno. T. MeCloughan, 

Jos. L. Shannon, 

Dr. A. T. DeWitt, 

Wm. Minier, 

Dennis Murphy, 

Elmer E. Fowler, 

Wm. W. Kimbel. 

Tax Receivers. 

Daniel Linn, 

John T. MeCloughan, 

Peter Fenstermacher, 20 yrs, 
Jos. L. Shannon. 


Justices of the Peace. 

F. G. Van Norstrau, 
Daniel Linn, 

O. H. Ostrander, 

C. P. Gearhart, Sr, 
Jacob W. Scott, 

Caleb F. Persing, 
Zachary T. Armes, 
Chas. P. Gearhart, Jr. 


Assessors. 
R. P. Laird, 

C. P. Gearhart, 
O. H. Ostrander, 
Frank Lewis, 

R. B. Bird. 


Poor Directors. 
Jos. L. Shannon, 

O. H. Ostrander, 
John T. MeCloughan, 
Jacob Berger, 

T. W. Kimbel, 


31 


Treasurers. 


Daniel Leiby, 

B. G. Welch, 

John Roth, 

James M. Coulter, 
SamT K, Hile, 

R. P. Laird, 

Constables. 

SamT D; Bucher, 

Peter Fenstermacher, 20y’s 
Jacob Yeager. 


John S. Bird, 

Wm. B. Kimbel, 

Geo. W. Roat, 

Jos. S. Burd, 

Zachary T. Armes, 

Eli Hoover. 

Street Commissioner. 
Edward Cuthbert, 

Peter Fenstermacher 20 y’ 
P. F. Startzel. 


Borough Engineer. 


O. H. Ostrander, 1871-1901. 
Secretaries. 


Paul M. Diver, 

H. B. Crane, 

J. M. John, 
Orleans Longacre, 
R. P. Laird, 
Zachary T. Armes, 


Jno. T. McCloughau, 
O. H. Ostrander, 

B. G. Welch, 

Wm. Minier, 

Elmer E. Fowler, 
John M. Hinckley. 




32 


MOUNT VERNON CEMETERY. 

This beautiful resting place of the dead containing 
one and a half acres, is s.tuate in Gearhart township on 
Riverside Heights, at the head of Avenue G. It was laid 
out in 1828, about the time of the first burial, that of an 
infant. On this plot was erected the Methodist Episcopal 
meeting house a single story frame building 85 by 45 feet, 
the gift of Judge Jacob Gearhart and others. It was 
taken down by Rev. I. H. Torrence in 1885, and the 
timbers removed. Services were held by itinerant preach¬ 
ers on the Catawissa circuit for many years. In 1887 for 
want of a caretaker, the fences fell down aud the place 
became neglected. The lot holders finally called a meeting, 
and appointed a new board of trustees, the members of the 
old board having died or grown feeble. The members of 
the new board were C. P. Gearhart, George Unger, Frank 
L. Miles, Chas. P. Harder, Horace C. Blue, W.C. Davis* 
Edward Cuthbert, Wm. F. Gearhart andO. H. Ostrander, 
The officers chosen by the trustees, were O. H. Ostrander, 
Presideut Frank L. Miles, Secretary and C. P. Gearhart, 
Treasurer, Edward Cuthbert was appointed Superintend- 
eut. The grounds were then cleaned up, the fences re¬ 
paired and a tool house built. The treasurer dying in 
1888 David R. Ecktnan was chosen trustee aud treasurer,, 
William Iiichart is the present superintendent. For the 
past 20 years the new organization have kept the grounds, 
in the best of care, and on Memorial Day, no cemetery in 
the vicinity presents a more attractive appearance. Ad¬ 
joining this cemetery George Unger, some years ago, laid 
out an addition of one half acie of ground for burial pur¬ 
poses. 



33 


SOUTH DANVrLUE. 


South Danville adjoins Riverside borough on the east, 
hounded on the sou h by the public road leading to Sun- 
bury, on the north by the Susquehanna river and on the 
east byroad leading across the river bridge to Danville 
containing about 55 acres. As early as the year 1866 an 
offer was made by Danville residents to the Herman Gear¬ 
hart Heirs for ten acres of this land near the bridge, at 
10000 dollars, which offer was refused by them; at this 
time the abundance of U. S. paper money had inflated the 
price of real estate in this vicinity to about 125 dollars an 
acre. In 1870 the laying out ot Riverside the rapid sell¬ 
ing of town lots and the putting up of buildings in that 
section, greatly advanced the value of adjoining farm 
lands, and several farms were sold for 250 dollars per 
acre. The Gearhart heirs who owned the land above de¬ 
scribed concluded to lay out the plot into town lots and 
sell the same, although they did not conform to the River¬ 
side plan, making offsets and angles with those streets; 
their lots near the eastern boundary sold for exceptionally 
high prices, in some instances at the rate of 1000 dollars 
per acre. A large number of town lots were sold and a 
number of buildings erected between 1870 and 1873. In 
addition the heirs received over 2000 dollars from the 
railroad company for land damages on account of the right 
of way through tleir land. There still remain a consider¬ 
able number of lots unsold after a lapse of 30 years, west¬ 
ward of the built up section, but in time, these will find a 
warket at renumerative prices. The streets, running 
north and south are made to conform as nearly as possible 
to opposite streets in Danville, continuing their names. 
This section of laud is situated in Gearhart township and 
is governed under township laws as provided by acts of 
assembly relating to townships of the Commonwealth Pop 
350. 


34 


SOUTH qamviul^e; school, building 


































PUBLIC SCHOOLS 


In 1871 the Gearhart School District erected a one- 
story-brick school house on Dewart street at corner of 
Montour street to accommodate the wants of South Dan¬ 
ville at a cost of 2500 dollars. The increase of population 
in this section made it necessary to enlarge the same, 
which was done in 1900 at an additional expense of 2200 
dollars, and now affords instruction by a primary and 
grammar school graded system. 

List of Teachers Employed 1872-1906. 

Alfred Marks, J. B. Douglass, 

C. P. Gearhart, Miss Jennie Pitner, 

Miss Marne Hughes, C. A. Gulick, 


Miss Ella Wolf, 


S. S. Smith, 

Miss M. A. Pfahler, 
Prudence Blizzard, 

Miss Helen G. Lesher, 
Blanche Campbell. 


Miss M. C. Madden, 
Miss Mollie Wetzel, 
Amanda Gearhart, 
Robert Russel, 



36 


ST. PETERS M. E. CHURCH. 

Ia 1878 the congregation of the M. E. Church, who 
laid lost their old home in Riverside through a sheriffs sale 
were donated a piece of ground at N. W. corner of Gear¬ 
hart and Logan streets by the heirs of Herman Gearhart, 
and went bravely to work to build for themselves a new 
home. The members of the mother church in Danville, 
assisting, a sufficient fund was subscribed to commence the 
building. The structure costing 4000 dollars was ready 
for occupancy in the early part of 1879. The dedication 
collections realized a sum that paid off every dollar of in- 
bebtedness, and this church organization under the pastor¬ 
ate of Rev. B. G. Welch renewed its Christian work in 
the community with fresh hope and vigor. A belfry and 
steeple were added in 1886 and a fine toned bell later on; 
about 1894 Rev. I. H. Torrence presented the church 
with a lot in Riverside on Avenue G, at Ninth street for 
a parsonage which was built the same year and occupied 
for the first time, by Rev. Freeman S. Vought. The 
house cost 1800 dollars which was partly paid by voluntary 
contribution, the balance remaining on mortgage for sev¬ 
eral years, when the amount was finally cancelled, through 
the energetic efforts of the Ladies Aid Society. Later the 
main entrance was remodelled, interior redecorated and 
several beautiful stained glass memorial windows set in 
place. 

PASTORATE. 


1873 A. S. Bowman, 

1874 A. S. Bowman, 

1875 Jos. T. Wilson, 

1876 Jos. T. Wilson, 

1877 Jos. T. Wilson, 

1878 | Benj. G. Welch, 
1879] and others as suj 


1884 N. H. Smith, 

1885 N. H. Smith, 

1886 John R. Milroy, 

1887 John R. Milroy, 

1888 G. H. Day, 

1889 G. H. Day, 
y 1890 G. H. Day, 


37 


1880 Benj. H. Moser, 

1881 Daniel Hartman, 

1882 Daniel Hartman, 

1883 Daniel Hartman, 
1894 C. M. Barnitz, 

1896 C. M. Barnitz, 

1897 F. S. Vought, 
1899 F. S. Vought, 

1901 R. J. Allen, 

1903 R. J. Allen, 
1905 E. T. Swartz. 


1890 J. Wesley Glover, 

1891 J. Weslev Glover, 

1892 A. L. Miller, 

1893 A. L. Miller, 

1895 C. M. Barnitz, 

1897 F. S. Vought, 

1898 F. S. Vought, 
1900 F. S. Vought, 
1902 R. J. Allen, 

1904 E. T. Swartz, 

1906 E. T. Swartz. 


W 9 W 


INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

Blacksmith Shop: The first shop was opened by 
Peter Berger, on Mill street, near the south entrance to 
river bridge as early as 1870. He continued in the busi¬ 
ness until 1875, when he leased to his brother Abram, who 
kept the place until 1904, when it was rented to Peter 
Ball, the present tenant. 

Wheelwright 8h:p: Was opened on Mill street, 
opposite the blacksmith shop, by Daniel Linn in 1873; 
later was occupied by Isaac Steinert who continued until 
1902 when the place w as closed. 

Lumber Yard &c: Riehl and Gulick established 
a depot for building materials and coal on Mill street near 
bridge in 1871 where they carried on the business until 
1872. 

Steam Flour Mill: This industry was started in 
1871 by Harvey B. Crane and Augustus Zehnder and 
was operated by them until 1874. From 1875 to 1879 
Mitchell <fc Co., occupied the mill, when they sold the 


38 



,*nme to John B. Laidacker who carried on a profitable 
business for 27 years. In 1906 Laidacker sold the prop¬ 
erty to the Mausdale Milling company. 

Coal Yard &c: Established by E. J. Curtis & 
Co., in 1874 who were succeeded by Woddrop and Welch 
1876 who conducted the business until 1881, when it was 
leased by Sam’l Bailey & Co., until 1890, when the prop¬ 
erty between Gearhart’s Run and Mill street, railroad and 
river was sold to J. Hudson Kase, who is now carrying on 
a general mercantile trade in Coal, Hardware, Agricul¬ 
tural implements <fcc. 

Lime Kiln: Was operated by M. Q. Crane & Co., 
on Woddrop and Welch Coal Yard property in 1875. 

Cigar Factory: Was opened on Railroad street 
bv Emanuel W. Young, 1894, who built up an exten¬ 
sive trade; discontinued manufacturing in 1899. 

Barber Shops: The first shop was kept by Harry 
J oNEsin 1891, near the river bridge who sold out to John 
Riffel by whom the place was conducted for two or 
three years. In 1896 he removed to Railroad street near 
Chestnut street and continued there until 1899. L. P. 
Orth reopen* d the shop near the river bridge in 1898, 
where he still carries on the business. 

Ungers Tin Shop: Is located on Snydertown 
road near tne Beer Storage Vault, was established by 
David Unger in 1888. Prior to this period a shop was 
conducted by George Freeze on Railroad street, near to 
Chestnut street, but closed some years ago. 

Bausch Beer Vault: Was constructed in 1871 
by John Bausch, the brewer, of Danville, who stored the 
output of his brewery in this vault on Snydertown road, 
for many years, but the place has been out of use for some 
time. 


39 


Susquehanna House: This commodious brick 
hotel was built by Michael Rosenstein in 1871, who was 
the landlord until 1891. Since that time the place has 
been kept by different parties until it was taken by Har¬ 
vey Dietrich, the present proprietor, in 1901. Present 
owners are J. and A. Moeschlin, Sunbury, Pa. 


PHYSICIAN. 

Dr. Nelson M. Smith: Commenced practise in 
1882 building an office on Sunbury road at Chestnut 
street which he has occupied for 24 years. 


STORES. 


Alex. J. Sober, Sunbury road, Mill Street, 1871-4 
Theo W. Clayton, Sunbury road, Chestnut St., 1882-4 
T. C. Fowler, Sunbury road, Chestnut St., 1885 

D. R. Eckman, Sunbury road, Mill St., 1874-98 

C. S. Smith, Sunbury road, Mill St., 1898-00 

Oscar W. Kase, Railr ad St., near Mill St., 1886-92 
J. Hudson Ka-e, Mill St., Railroad 1890-06 

Rufus H. Vastine, Railroad St., 1903-00 


Theo. W. Clayton, Railroad St. near Hill St., 1892-06 



HOOVER PLANING MILL. 

This mill was erected iu 1901. It was owned by Eli 
Hoover, Oliver Hoover, Wallace Hoover, Johu T. Mc- 
Cloughan and Chas. McCloughan who conducted the busi- 


40 


ness lor several years, when Eli Hoover and McClouglian 
Bros , withdrew from the firm. The mill is fitted up with 
first class power and machinery and turns nut all kinds of 
wood work. The business has steadily increased, having 
the monoply -of trade, as there is no other plant within # 
miles. In March 1906. Oliver O. Hoover sold out his 
interest to Wallace Hoover, who now operates the mill, 

O Q Q 


Ice Cream Parlor: At the corner of Gearhart 
and Factory streets, has been conducted for -the past 10 
years by Mrs. Geo. Edward Roat, 


41 


I 




RIVERSIDE SCHOOL BUILDING. 






















HOUSES ERECTED. 

1870-1874. 


Names. 


Location. 


Robert S. McCoy, Sunbury St., near Logan 

Peter Berger, 1871 Railroad and Mill St. 

Fred Frisch, Railroad St. 

Andrew Droffuer, 1st house (1871) 44 
Michael Rosen tine, 1871 “ 

Rufus Vastine, 1871 Gearhart St. 

Rufus Vastine, 44 

Judsou Vastine, 

B. K. Adams, 

Harvey Kimbel, 

C. Voris, 

Henry Savidge, 

Joseph Campbell, 

Chas. Amerman, 

Mrs. Russel, 

John G. Heimbach, 

Alfred Marks, 

Eliza Bird, (Thos. Pensyl) 44 

Simon Kepner, Railroad St. 


Michael hitter, 

E. and M. Wench, 

Ferd. Betters, 

J. M. Geringer, 

J. Gearhart, 

L. Yordy, 

Wm. H. Treas, 

Fred Lynn, 

John T. Oberdorf, Mill St. 

Patrick Brady, Dewart St. 

Jacob Hummer, 

Fred. De Freeze, 


43 


Mrs. Wagner, 
William Nuss, 
John Artley, 

J. F. Krell, 
Henry Yeager, 
Alex. G. Sober, 
Simon S. Boyer, 
(36 Houses) 


t <• 

Kali road St, 

<6 

Sunbury and Mill Sts. 
Sunbury and Chestnut Sts, 


1874 - 1906 . 


Names. 


Location, 


Thos. Adams, 

Wm. M. Hoagland, 
Sarah Phillips, 
Patrick Brady Jr., 
David Rockafeller, 
David R. Eckman, 
Dallas Hummer, 
Arthur Myerly, 
Rufu* Vastine, Store 
Wm. R. Welliver, 
Est. Douvv Metier, 
Minner F, Gulick, 

J. Hudson Kase, 


Gearhart St. 
Dewart St, 


Sunbury St., and Alley 
Sunbury and Factory St. 
Dewart St. 

Gearhart St. 

Railroad St. 
Sunbury Road 
Sunbury and Factory Sts. 
Sunbuiy and Chestnut Sts. 
Sunbury and Factory Sts. 
Theo. Robison, “ 

N. M. Smith, M. D., office “ Factory Sts. 

Theo. W. Clayton, House and store “ 

Chas. Amerman, Railroad St. 

Oscar W. Kase, Railroad St. 

John Super, Gearhart St. 

Wm. L. Clark, Gearhart and Factory Sts. 

Oliver Hoover, Gearhart St. 

Wellington Cleaver, Gearhart and Chestnut Sts. 
Chas. Houghaweot, “ 


4-4 


Johu Treas, 
Wesley Pegg, 

John Murphy, 
Samuel Hummer, 
C. S. Smith, 

Alex. Dimmick, 
Patrick Brady Jr., 
(30 Houses) 


Gearhart and Chestnut Sts. 
Gearhart St. 

Gearhart and Logan Sts. 
Gearhart St. 
Railroad St. 

Wall and Logan Sts. 
Snvdertown Road. 


9 Q 


FARMER CITIZENS. 

Among those who have been attracted to Riverside 
and vicinity as a pleasing and comfortable abiding place, 
in which to pass their declining years may be mentioned. 


Isaac Hoffman, 
Solomon Pensyl. 
William Metier, 
Edward Gradv, 

Win. DeWitt' 

Samuel Gulick, 

Chas. D. Houghawout, 
Theo. W. Kimbel, 
Wellington Cleaver, 
Joseph Woodruff, 

Wm. Kimbel, 

L. D. Metier, 

P. F. Startzel. 

Many of these have erected handsome residences. It 
may not be amiss to say that the farmer citizens with their 
quiet practical ways have contributed greatly to the growth 
and properity of this community. 


Caleb F. Persing 
Ulam Hoffman, 

J. H. Kase, 

Chas. W. Kase, 
Hugh J. Vastine, 
Harrison Kase, 
Samuel Reeder, 

C P. Gea rhart, 
John Conway, 
Elias Woodruff, 
Wm. Mutchler, 
Sam’! Morrall, 


45 


RESIDENCES. 


Most <>f the dwelling houses in Riverside aind! South 
Danville, have been bi>ilt on the enfrage plan, costing 
from 1500 to 2500 dollars and are surrounded by fruit and 
ornamental trees, lawns and shrubbery: the grounds are 
generally well kept and present a neat, tasteful aud home 
like appearance. In Riverside under a wise provision of 
those who laid out the place, the grantees were required to 
ksep the front line of all buildings 20* feet back from the 
Avenues, thus creating a broad vista of TOO feet in width 
between the houses. A few private residences were erect¬ 
ed at considerable ex >ense: the commodious French roof 
mansion on Avenue F, near Sixth street, now owned by 
Abner P. Pitner was built by Benj. G. Welch and Joel 
S. Bailey in 1871 at a cost of 9000 dollars. The Swbs 
Cottage on Avenue D, at Fifth street, owned bv Win. T, 
Shepperson, erected by Orleans Longacre in 1871, cost 
5500 dollars, and the “brown stone front’ r brick house on 
the same Avenue near Sixth street, built by the Matthew- 
son Bros., Scotch stone cutters in 1874, now the property 
of John J. Kutz cost 0000 dollars: the cottage home of F. 
P. Startzel on Sunburv street at Avenue H, costing over 
3000 dollars: the residence of Hon. H, M. Hinckley on 
the same street near Avenue G, over 4000 dollars and the 
large brick mansion belonging to Est. Agnes Gearhart, on 
Sunbury street and Avenue H, costing 4600 dollars when 
erected in 1872, also the brick residence on Avenue F, at 
Third street, built by Rev. Gideon H. Day, lately pur¬ 
chased by Frauk Armes, costing 3500 dollars. In South 
Danville there are a number of fine residences costing from 
3500 to 5000 dollars, among which may be noted those of 
Harrison Kase, Hugh J. Vastiue, Wm.L. Clark, David 
R. Eckman, J. H. Kase, Est. Sam’l Gulick, J. Warren 
Robison, Minner F. Gulick, W. W. Gulick, Chas. D. 
Houghawont and Est. of Lorenzo D. Metier. 


46 


FIRST M, E, CHURCH, NOW GRACE P, E, CHURCH 



5 VjA V » ’ f, jCv V-v). XyHB yA 

VTVwl/Vr'■■ \ , "~~S .. 

M& *~V •• 

llW*' ' 


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THE BOARD OF TRADE, 


This association of citizens was organized in 1890 for 
the purpose of inducing parties at a distance to locate in¬ 
dustries in Riverside and South Danville. Through their 
efforts, Hoover Bros., moved their plaining mill from 
Snydertown in 1891 and purchased ground from J. H, 
Kase, near the river bridge. They soon built up a pros¬ 
perous trade and have become an important industry, in 
this section: about the same time, funds were raised by citi¬ 
zens and a Novelty Works established on Railroad street, 
near the river. The principal products manufactured were 
patent washboards and cash registers. The management 
was under the charge of the patentee, W. R. VanVliet, 
from Stroudsburg Pa., and was in operation a little more 
than a year when the inefficiency of the manager, dissatis¬ 
fied the stockholders of the company who closed out the 
business. The loss on their investments was 85 per cent, 
of the capital subscribed. Since Ihis misventure the Board 
of Trade have ceased to keep up their organization. 



48 


IN MEMORIAM. 

Of those who occupied and tilled tl.e land on the 
“south side” between Blue Hill and Kipp’s Run, when 
Riverside and South Danville were fiist settled in 1869 


and who have passed away to that “boarue from whence 
no traveler returns” are: 

Abram Burger, Samuel Gulick, 

Jacob Snyder, 

Samuel Stroh, 

John Oberdorf, 

Charles Carr. 

Jacob Gearhart, 

A bner Pitner, 

Peter Gearhart, 

A Jem Sechler, 

Win. F. Gearhart, 

J. Cooper Richart, 

Chas. P. Gearhart, 

Chas. Hougbawnnt. 

Francis G. VanNorstran, 

William Depev. 

Win. D. Gearhart, 

Jasper Metier. 

William Faux, 

George Unger, 

Peter Mowrer, 

Samuel GilJinger. 

Wilson M. Gearhart. 

Irvin H. Torrence. 


one only is still in the land of the living John W. Mowrer, 
who now resides in Dai ville. Of those who occupied 
homes in Riverside and South Danville, 74 citizens have 
died, and counting all, men, women and children, mere 
than 250 souls have passedawav into another world, with¬ 
in a period of 40 years. 


- ^ 
£ Junta! £ 


49 



































































jUL 16 1306 

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